CHAPTER 6 is honored to present artist Gu Fangyuan’s debut solo exhibition: Spiritual Anchor Point. Gu Fangyuan’s artistic practice revolves around the concept of the “interconnectedness of all things.” Through her experiences and observations of the natural world and everyday life, the artist seeks to uncover a spiritual connection—equal and pure—between herself, space, and all living beings. These connections manifest in unguarded moments, through the emotional and energetic exchanges between individuals. Gu Fangyuan captures and records these unspoken messages and fleeting sensations, distilling them into vivid, tangible imagery through spontaneous, site-specific creations. Her works depict surreal scenes where humans, animals, and plants coexist within specific spaces, often exuding a primal sense of ritual, occasionally accompanied by a childlike, bittersweet humor.

Walking plays a vital role in Gu Fangyuan’s creative process, serving as a key method of artistic exploration. This exhibition showcases works created during the past two years, when the artist lived and worked among ethnic minority communities in Southwest China. Immersing herself in the daily lives of local residents, she walked through tropical rainforests, learning about their customs, tribal cultures, migration histories, and spiritual beliefs. The symbiotic relationship between humans and nature, and the belief in the spirituality of all things, are central to the lives of these communities and have become the core inspiration for Gu Fangyuan’s work. This connection to “nature and the primal” is reflected not only in the content of her art but also in her creative methods and materials. For example, she incorporates handmade Dongba paper, a cultural symbol of the Naxi people, and ancient bark paper from the paper mulberry tree. Often abandoning traditional brushes, the artist uses her fingers to apply pigments directly onto the rough, unrefined textures of these natural materials. For Gu Fangyuan, this tactile engagement is her way of participating as a co-creator, touching and preserving the raw, unprocessed authenticity of her materials.

The exhibition’s Chinese title, Zhai Xin（Heart of Village）, is derived from one of Gu Fangyuan’s works. In the cultures of many ethnic groups in Southwest China, such as the Dai and Wa peoples, the concept of the heart of the village holds deep significance. When a community settles in a new place after a long migration, the first step is to establish the heart of the village, often symbolized by a wooden post or a stone. This physical center is not merely a spatial marker but also a spiritual anchor, oriented toward the ancestors and serving as a focal point for blessings and the safeguarding of the community's home. Gu Fangyuan’s creative journey mirrors this idea of connection. Through her walks, she finds inspiration in nature, and through her art, she seeks a deeper connection with herself and the world around her. This connection is not only an expression of her observations but also a declaration of who she is and how she relates to the world.